Description of this Master Class for Students
This master class for students will take place online via Zoom.
For once, Homer is wrong. Since its inception over 30 years ago, the Simpsons television cartoon show has not only become one of the most iconic products of American popular culture, it is also the most famous and relevant satire of American society, culture, politics, and life in general. While the show works even on its most superficial level as slapstick comedy, every episode is full of allusions to popular culture, history, politics, religion and philosophy that often only become apparent on the second (or third, or fourth) viewing.
The Simpsons has commented on everything from American democracy, immigration, feminism, class warfare, racism, and gun control to evangelical Christianity and life after death. No celebrity can really be considered famous until he or she had a guest appearance on the show. This talk will focus on some relevant (and funny) examples of how to read the Simpsons as social and political satire. Don’t have a cow, man!
This lecture is free of charge. Reservations can be made via E-Mail by school teachers and individual students grades 11 through 13. Please include the number of students and your school's name with your registration.
Photo: ©Jack O'Rourke / unsplash.com
Markus Hünemörder
About the Lecturer
Dr. Markus Hünemörder is a lecturer and academic adviser at the LMU Munich. His interests lie in U.S. politics and political culture. Dr. Hünemörder implements his thorough expert knowledge in these fields in order to inform his audiences about important U.S. topics. All the while, he uses just the right amount of humor and satirical cultural references to bring these topics into perspective.
Organizer
Bavarian Center for Transatlantic Relations
Contact
Leiterin Recherchezentrum, Programme Schüler*innen und Lehrkräfte
E-Mail
ackermann@amerikahaus.de
bibliothek@amerikahaus.de
Telefon
089 55 25 37-20